May 22 is designated as “National Craft Distillery Day” and in Arizona, it’s easy to find a local spirit maker to lift a glass to and support. Here are 14 distillers we’ve written about over the years. Read responsibly. Cheers!
Adventurous Stills
2125 E. 5th St. Tempe
480-292-8770, adventstills.com
Winner of ‘Best Distillery’ in the 2019 Best of the Valley from PHOENIX magazine.
*Vote for Best of the Valley 2020 here*
Arizona Distilling Co.
601 W. University Ave., Tempe
480-921-2487, azdistilling.com
Winner of multiple awards for its Commerce Gin, Arizona Distilling churns out popular brands such as Copper City Bourbon and Humphrey’s Malt Whiskey.
Blue Clover Distillery
7042 E. Indian School Rd., Scottsdale
480-946-1062, bluecloverdistillery.com
This Scottsdale distillery is best known for its vodka and gin, but recently began making hand sanitizer to help the fight against coronavirus.
SanTan Spirits
495 E. Warner Rd., Chandler
480-917-8700, santanbrewing.com
SanTan began distilling spirits in 2015. The distillery now boasts handcrafted whiskey, vodka and gin.
OHSO Brewery + Distillery
15681 N. Hayden Rd. #112, Scottsdale
602-955-0358, ohsobrewery.com
Distillery tours are typically $35 for two people and it includes a bottle to take home, but the tours are temporarily suspended because of CoVID-19.
Caskwerks Distilling
1920 E. University Dr. Suite 105, Tempe
480-247-2825, caskwerks.com
Caskwerks is a local favorite of PHOENIX managing editor Leah LeMoine and offers 5 types of beverages in their Tempe facility: vodka, gin, tea-infused gin, apple pie liquer and barrel-rested apple pie liquer.
Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery
301 N. 7th St., Williams
928-635-1911, grandcanyonbrewery.com
The Williams-based brewery makes rum, gin and whiskey and recently rolled out ready-to-drink canned Vodka Soda using its orange blossom and prickly pear “grain to glass” vodkas.
Hamilton Distillery
2016 Forbes Blvd. #103, Tucson
520-628-9244, whiskeydelbac.com
Better known as Whiskey Del Bac, Hamilton features four styles of American single malt whiskey: Dorado, Classic, Old Pueblo and Distiller’s Cut.
The Independent Distillery
30 South Arizona Ave., Tucson
520-248-7334, theindependentdistillery.com
Lineup of craft spirits includes bourbon, whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, bitters and absinthe.
Flying Leap Vineyards & Distillery
342 Elgin Rd., Elgin
520-455-5499, flyingleapvineyards.com
Flying Leap features grape-based vodka, brandy and grappa, along with bourbon and moonshine.
Elgin Distillery
471 Elgin Rd., Elgin
520-369-3421, elginwd.com
Winner of ‘best rum in the world’ according to San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Awarded Best of Class Extra-Aged Rum and Best in Show in 2018 & 2019.
Desert Diamond Distillery
4875 Olympic Way, Kingman
928-757-7611, desertdiamonddistillery.com
Desert Diamond’s signature Gold Miner Rum and other spirits can be ordered online.
Thumb Butte Distillery
400 N. Washington Ave., Prescott
928-443-8498, thumbbuttedistillery.com
The Prescott distiller’s “special edition” whiskey was oaked in barrels that previously held rum and is considered the Cadillac of Arizona whiskeys.
Sonoran Spirits
Available at most Total Wine, BevMo, AJ’s and Bashas’
sonoranspirits.com
Popular local products AZ48 vodka and Cave Creek Bourbon can be found most places liquor is sold in the Valley.
